GENETICS 3212 - Gene Expression & Human & Developmental Genetics (Biomed) III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

The material taught in this course is organised around the theme of genes - how genes function and their roles in animal and plant development and disease. The aim is to give students an appreciation, at an advanced level, of the mechanisms that control gene expression, the genetic determination of developmental pathways, the various types of human genetic mutation that lead to disease, the pathogenic pathways from genotype to phenotype and the legal regulatory framework for research in genetics. Attendance at the majority of workshops during the course must be given priority as there is assessment during every workshop. There is no final exam for this course.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GENETICS 3212
    Course Gene Expression & Human & Developmental Genetics (Biomed) III
    Coordinating Unit Molec & Biomedical Science
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 12 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites GENETICS 2510 and GENETICS 2520; or equivalent
    Incompatible GENETICS 3211, GENETICS 3520
    Restrictions Available to BSc (Biomedical Science) students only
    Course Description The material taught in this course is organised around the theme of genes - how genes function and their roles in animal and plant development and disease. The aim is to give students an appreciation, at an advanced level, of the mechanisms that control gene expression, the genetic determination of developmental pathways, the various types of human genetic mutation that lead to disease, the pathogenic pathways from genotype to phenotype and the legal regulatory framework for research in genetics. Attendance at the majority of workshops during the course must be given priority as there is assessment during every workshop. There is no final exam for this course.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Michael Lardelli

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

    1 Understand the underlying conceptual framework regarding  the regulation of genes and how research expands our knowledge in this area
    2 Understand the underlying conceptual framework regarding  how genes control embryo development and how research expands our knowledge in this area
    3 Understand the underlying conceptual framework regarding  human genetics and how research expands our knowledge in this area
    4 Research the scientific literature to comprehend and analyse scientific research data described in peer-reviewed journals
    5 Record laboratory research notes, analyse and evaluate experimental data and synthesise reports on such data
    6 Extract relevant information from literature databases for synthesis and presentation in written or oral form
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    4, 5, 6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    4, 5, 6

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    4, 5, 6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    4, 5, 6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    This course will require the following texts and other resources:

     Text for Human Genetics lectures: 'Human Molecular Genetics - 4th Edition' by Strachan
    and Read.

    Copies of scientific papers for Gene Regulation and Developmental Genetics aspects of the
    course (supplied by the lecturers)

    Collaborating research laboratories

    Practical manuals (if doing genetics/molecular biology laboratory  practical work. These are supplied by lecturer/s running each practical)

    Practical Laboratories (if doing the practical)

    Scientific equipment

    Lecture theatres and tutorial rooms

    Access to University Library

    Access to computers and internet including a portable internet-capable device during workshops

    Students must supply laboratory coat and safety glasses for their own use

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be delivered by the following means:

    “Pre-workshop” material in the form of pre-recorded lectures or assigned reading material etc. 8 hours per week (includes revision of delivered material).

    Workshops
    4 workshops of 1 hour each per week. During the workshops the “pre-workshop” material is reviewed (and any students’ questions on this answered). To reinforce and extend student learning, issues in genetics are discussed, data in scientific papers are analysed and problem-solving exercises are conducted. Each workshop includes an up to 10 minute in-workshop summative and formative test
    reviewing previous learning. Four of the up to 48 workshops will be given over to summative tests on the material delivered during the previous 3 weeks.

    Practicals
    For Genetics 3212, the practical component has traditionally been divided into two streams, the "laboratory placement" activity or the more structured large prac lab activity (the prac of weeks 2-4 of the Genetics 3211 course and essay-based activity). Placements commonly involve single students hosted in labs where social distancing can be requested. If any students do not want to do a placement they can do the alternative practical stream.

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 6 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 24 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., workshops and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., watching pre-workshop recorded presentations, reading, and revision).
    Learning Activities Summary
    Material taught in this course has been organised around the theme of genes – how they function and their roles in animal and plant development and disease. The aim is to give an appreciation, at an advanced level, of the mechanisms that control gene expression, the genetic determination of developmental pathways, the various types of human genetic mutation that lead to disease and the pathogenic pathways from genotype to phenotype.

    The particular topics covered by the participating lecturers may differ from year to year depending upon e.g. advances in the science.

    Workshops 
    Workshops will be conducted in the “flipped lecture” format where students are assigned pre-workshop material to assimilate (e.g. a recorded lecture and/or a particular scientific paper etc. to read before attending the next workshop) and they then discuss the material/engage in exercises to reinforce and extend their understanding of the delivered content in the workshop. (This may include delivery of additional material by the lecturer.) Each workshop will include a short written (paper-based) or on-line summative and formative assessment on material delivered in the current and previous workshops and on the pre-workshop material. Once every three weeks an entire workshop will be given over to an on-line summative test of the previous three weeks’ material.

    Week Type of Learning Activity Topic
    1 Pre-workhop material Developmental Neurogenetics
    Workshop     Developmental Neurogenetics
    2 Pre-workhop material Developmental Neurogenetics
    Workshop Developmental Neurogenetics
    3 Pre-workhop material Developmental Neurogenetics
    Workshop Developmental Neurogenetics
    4 Pre-workhop material Developmental Neurogenetics
    Workshop Developmental Neurogenetics
    5 Pre-workhop material Plant Developmental Genetics and Regulation of Gene Expression
    Workshop Plant Developmental Genetics and Regulation of Gene Expression
    6 Pre-workhop material Plant Developmental Genetics and Regulation of Gene Expression
    Workshop Plant Developmental Genetics and Regulation of Gene Expression
    7 Pre-workhop material Plant Developmental Genetics and Regulation of Gene Expression / Epigenetics
    Workshop Plant Developmental Genetics and Regulation of Gene Expression / Epigenetics
    8 Pre-workhop material Plant Developmental Genetics and Human Genetics including Cancer Genetics
    Workshop Plant Developmental Genetics and Human Genetics including Cancer Genetics
    Mid Semester Break
    9 Pre-workhop material   Human Genetics including Cancer Genetics
    Workshop   Human Genetics including Cancer Genetics
    10 Pre-workhop material   Human Genetics including Cancer Genetics
    Workshop   Human Genetics including Cancer Genetics
    11 Pre-workhop material   Human Genetics including Cancer Genetics
    Workshop   Human Genetics including Cancer Genetics
    12 Pre-workhop material   Human Genetics including Cancer Genetics
    Workshop   Human Genetics including Cancer Genetics

    Laboratory placement (or Practical classes and other work)
    For the laboratory placement, students are hosted, under supervision, in a biomedical research laboratory for a total of at least 72 hours of laboratory time. They will have a research project to perform and will also research the scientific literature to synthesise a review appropriate to the project and, at the end, a report describing and evaluating the work done and the results. Students who do not obtain a laboratory placement will perform an alternative set of tasks. They will be given a “focus genetic disease” as a central research theme and will then synthesise a written review of the scientific literature on this disease, synthesise and present an essay on current and possible future treatment options for the disease and present a case study of the disease orally. They will also perform the equivalent of 24 hours of genetics/molecular biology laboratory practical work consisting of small research projects requiring recording of research data followed by analysis and evaluation.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment task Type of assessment Percentage of total
    assessment for grading purposes #
    Hurdle
    Yes or No #
    Outcomes being assessed / achieved Approximate Timing of Assessment
    Short tests in each workshop Formative/Summative 35% No 1, 2, 3, 4 Weeks 1-12
    1-hour, on-line examination every three weeks Summative 15% No 1, 2, 3, 4 Weeks 3, 6, 9, 12
    For laboratory placement:
    Literature review Formative/Summative 20% No 4, 6 Week 8
    Research report Summative 20% No 4, 5, 6 Week 12
    Supervisor assessment Summative 10% No 5 Week 12
    For Focus Genetic Disease work:
    Literature Review Summative/Formative 15% No 4, 6 Week 7
    Oral presentation Formative/Summative 10% No 4, 6 Week 12
    Lab practical Report Summative/Formative 15% No 5, 6 Week 5
    Essay Summative/Formative 10% No 4, 6 Week 10


    Assessment Detail

    Either:

    1. For those with Laboratory Placements:

    Literature review for laboratory placement project (20% of course grade) ~2,500 words and fully referenced on the background to the laboratory project. This is due at the end of week 8 (Formative and summative assessment).

    The course co-ordinator will call for all placement laboratory hosts to interview their students at the end of week 5 to provide feedback to them about how they are progressing in their laboratory work and to discuss progress in writing the literature review.

    Research Report on laboratory placement project (20% of course grade). ~2,000 words (plus figures) describing and discussing the research project results. This is due at the end of the semester (Summative assessment).

    Supervisor assessment (10% of course grade) of general approach to laboratory work and the skills displayed in the laboratory. (Summative assessment)

    Or:

    2. For Focused Genetic Disease work (study of a particular genetic disease):

    4 weeks (6 x 4 hour sessions) of Developmental Genetics laboratory practical work (15% of course grade, summative assessment and formative assessment, Learning objectives 2,4,5.)

    Literature review of the focus genetic disease (15% of the course grade) ~2,500 words and fully referenced on the background to the focus genetic disease. (Summative and formative assessment)

    Essay on current treatments and future treatment options/possibilities for the focus genetic disease (10% of the course grade) ~1,500 words and fully referenced. (Summative assessment)

    Oral presentation (Powerpoint) of a case study of a person with the focus genetic disease (10% of the course grade, summative assessment). 

    For all students:

    Tests in workshops (total 35% of course grade, Learning Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4). Up to ten minutes during each workshop will be devoted to answering questions assessing material in that and previous workshops and the pre-workshop material. This will test and reinforce students’ understanding of the course material. To avoid problems with students occasionally missing workshops (due to course clashes or illness), a student’s final accumulated mark for these examinations will be made up of their best 30 workshop examination scores (from the possible up to 44 examinations). A generous length of time will be allowed for completion
    of the questions. (Formative and summative assessment.)

    Extended, up to 1 hour examinations conducted online (total 15% of course grade, Learning Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4). These will be held in Weeks 3, 6, 9, and 12 and will examine any material delivered over the preceding three weeks. The examinations will occur during a timetabled workshop session but will not require attendance at the lecture theatre by the student. There are four workshop sessions per week and each test will be held during a different session time. This will test and reinforce students’
    understanding of the course material. To avoid problems with students unable to sit one of the 4 tests (due to course clashes or illness), a student’s final accumulated mark for these examinations will be made up of their best 3 examination scores. A generous length of time will be allowed for completion of the questions. (Summative assessment.)

    There is no end-of-semester examination for this course.

    Submission
    Submission of Developmental Genetics Practical workbooks is into the submission box at the front desk of the Molecular Life Sciences Building. Submission of other essays is via MyUni and will include checking for plagiarism by Turnitin.


    Late submission of assessments

    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply.  A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied.  This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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